Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone invited me to take part in the ‘Writing Process Blog Tour’, a journey through writers’ websites via questions about their work. I was particularly pleased that she thought of me, since Rebekah and I share a similar philosophy on literary mentorship and I admire her for making her role as a reader central… Continue reading The Writing Process Blog Tour
When I came to evaluate my Arts Council Memoir Garden residency, it struck me that people with learning disabilities are subject to endless evaluation by social workers and carers, doctors and auditors. The official language and value judgements of such forms threaten to strip people with learning disabilities of their humanity. As a way to… Continue reading Anything else you think we should know?
The Memoir Garden poets have been spreading the word about our collection of poems from the words and experiences of adults with learning disabilities. The collection proved such a success locally that Waterstones in Berkhamsted restocked for the third time, we ordered a second print run, and held a London launch, kindly hosted by New York University in London. A… Continue reading The Memoir Garden locally and nationally
I am delighted to announce that The Memoir Garden is now available to purchase from Waterstones in Berkhamsted, The Papertrail in Apsley, and Sunnyside’s Hemel Food Garden on Two Waters Lane. All proceeds will go to Sunnyside Rural Trust – a social enterprise that trains adults with learning disabilities to work in horticulture. It is also available… Continue reading Waterstones in Berkhamsted
“This book demonstrates beautifully that people with learning disabilities have rich and textured emotions and experiences. I love this book. It made me cry, laugh and wish. Read it, and then think about how surprised you are.” – Keely Charlick, the Chief Executive of Sunnyside Rural Trust The launch of The Memoir Garden was a wonderfully celebratory occasion. We all… Continue reading Launch of The Memoir Garden
My Arts Council writing residency at Sunnyside Rural Trust has culminated in The Memoir Garden – a poetry collection that will be launched in Berkhamsted on 22nd May. I held monthly workshops and interviews over the course of a year, collaborating with participants to create and edit poems from their own words and reminiscences. The Memoir… Continue reading The Memoir Garden
If I could read your mind: bringing the personal into the critical Date and Time: 15th January 2013, 5.00-6.30pm Location: Library, Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London, 27-28 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA Free to attend but please try to book your place in advance. All welcome, especially graduate students.… Continue reading University of London
A few months ago, my friend and fellow writer, Ben East, asked me why I write. I’ve been mulling over his question ever since. Given that writing has led me to eschew well-paid, permanent positions in favour of short-term contracts, and to turn down holidays in Lake Garda for weeks of hibernation in my shed,… Continue reading If I could read your mind…
I’m delighted to have been tagged in a ‘meme’, which is an online chain letter. Each week a new writer posts answers to questions about a work-in-progress. Novelist, Penny Rudge, and playwright and non-fiction writer, Samantha Ellis, have both handed on the baton to me. As well as being fantastically talented, Penny and Samantha are… Continue reading The Next Big Thing Meme: The Waifs and Strays of Sea View Lodge
EMMA CLAIRE SWEENEY 